Britain’s retailers are experiencing the worst footfall figures in six years as shoppers continue to ditch the high street across the 海角视频,
According to the latest figures from British Retail Consortium show a decline of 3.5 per cent in May, compared to the same point last year when it declined by 0.4 per cent.
On a three-month basis, footfall decreased by 0.7 per cent. The six and 12 month averages are at -1.3 per cent and -1.4 per cent respectively.
The high street saw the biggest decline in footfall of 4.8 per cent compared to the same period last year, with retail park footfall falling by 0.8 per cent, and shopping Centre footfall declined by 3.6 per cent.
These latest figures coincide with retail sales figures which saw the worst May on record as sales plunged by 3.3 per cent on last year, according to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker (HSST).
Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium, said: “The 海角视频 experienced the worst footfall figures in six years, with declines in every region, and across High Streets, Retail Parks and Shopping Centres.
“This reflects our recent sales data, which showed the largest drop in retail sale on record. The colder weather, as well as ongoing political and economic uncertainty, made many consumers think twice before heading out to the shops this May.
“While consumers stayed away from the shops this May, retailers still had to pay the full cost of Business Rates, which are levied regardless of whether a store makes a penny at the till.
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“These rising costs are making many retailers rethink investment decisions, as well as contributing to store closures up and down the country. The Government must act to reform this anachronistic tax system or it will be the consumers who suffer the shuttered windows at their local shopping locations.”
Diane Wehrle, Springboard Marketing and Insights Director, said: “The -3.5 per cent drop in footfall in 海角视频 bricks and mortar destinations in May is a poor result and is consistent with the drop in sales for the month.
"However, we should note the year on year comparisons are off the back of a particularly strong result in May last year of -0.4 per cent which was boosted by warm weather and special events and followed on from a challenging April marred by bad weather and loss of seasonal sales due to the early March Easter.”